Tip turbine inflating device

ABSTRACT

An inflating device having the character of a tip turbine type fan particularly adapted to enable a substantially instantaneous inflation of emergency life saving devices such as escape slides and life rafts. It features an improved nozzle configuration for receiving and delivering a small amount of high pressure air to a rotor assembly, in the operation of which the high pressure air is expanded and delivered as a high volume inflating medium, amplified by an ingested portion of ambient air. The rotor housing is distinguished by an inlet the form of which produces a smooth inflow of the ingested air and an outlet characterized by stator blades the mount of which avoids the problems normally anticipated where the device is subjected to extreme changes in temperature. The rotor outlet features a diffuser extension which contributes to its performance and increases its pumping efficiency.

United States Patent [1 1 Flatt et al.

Sept. 9, 1975 [5 7] ABSTRACT An inflating device having the character of a tip turbine type fan particularly adapted to enable a substantially instantaneous inflation of emergency life saving devices such as escape slides and life rafts. It features an improved nozzle configuration for receiving and delivering a small amount of high pressure air to a rotor assembly, in the operation of which the high pressure air is expanded and delivered as a high volume inflating medium, amplified by an ingested portion of ambient air. The rotor housing is distinguished by an inlet the form of which produces a smooth inflow of the ingested air and an outlet characterized by stator blades the mount of which avoids the problems normally anticipated where the device is subjected to extreme changes in temperature. The rotor outlet features a diffuser extension which contributes to its performance and increases its pumping efficiency.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures I TIP TURBINE INFLATING DEVICE [75] Inventors: Joseph Flatt; Robert C. LoPiccolo;

Eugene Linsker, all of Dayton, Ohio [73] Assignee: Tech Development Inc., Dayton,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Nov. 6, I972 [2]] App]. No.: 304,095

[52] US. Cl. 4I7/355; 9/3l5; l37/527 [5 [1 Int. Cl..... F04!) 17/00; F04b /00; B63c 7/!6 [58] Field of Search 4l7/355, 348; 9/]! A, 3l5, 9/316; 4l5/202 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,761,6l7 9/!956 Van Ornum ct al 417/355 2906, 147 9/[959 Sccd t 4 4 9/315 $018,034 H1962 Ferri i 417/355 3,460,746 8/l969 Green et al. 4l7/l74 3,532 437 III/I970 Strub 4l5/l36 I FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS |97 9l4 ll/I923 United Kingdom 4l7/355 329 73l ll/l920 Germany 4l5/ZU2 .95 g I' I l 7 7 l6 are 20 2/ il i '1 J0\ a 1/ 14 j] so A 46 I J l li PATENTEB 35? 9 i975 SET 2 BF 3 snman g FIG-5 FIG-4 1 TIP TURBINE INFLATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a unique embodiment of a tip turbine type fan. providing an inflating device featuring improvements producing a relatively guiet and substantially instantaneously operating unit. The invcn tion embodiments are so designed as to eliminate undesirable noise, to increase safety. and otherwise reduce existing problems in operating emergency inflatable life saving devices. It will be particularly described in reference to its application to the inflation of escape slides and life rafts used in conjunction with aircraft. It will be apparent. however. that the invention units have a considerable range of application, and advantage for other purposes.

With the advent of large passenger aircraft and extended foreign travel. the aircraft industry hadto consider better. safer and faster means for deembarking passengers in the event of emergency. This led to the incorporation of inflatable slides which are extensible from an aircraft. With the introduction of this concept, there had to be developed a means for their quick inflation. To date the best means provided for such purpose has been a bomb-type device the triggering ofwhich causes a release of compressed air which is injected in the inflatable apparatus. While such means have shown a capability to serve the intended purpose. they have inherent disadvantage in use. The bomb type device is heavy. relatively expensive and. when used. discharges an objectionable. dirty. hard to remove effluent. lt is also costly to recharge. Further. the speed. degree and character ofinflation of which it is capable appears to leave much to be desired. With a bomb type inflating medium there is also a safety problem. Even if this last is remote. there could be serious consequences on ma]- function. particularly when used in a large passenger aircraft. It is for such reasons as this that there has been a continuing search for a special type inflating means to overcome the noted problems. The present invention provides the answer.

SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON The invention provides inflating apparatus which is uniquely applicable to inflating large inflatable objects with high speed and efficiency. and in a quiet and'safc manner. It not only does this but also provides a concept of an improved turbine type fan which has a high degree of versatility in its embodiment and use. It is to be understood. of course. that the invention is intended to and does comprehend basic improvements in tip turbine type fans as well as a new and improved inflating apparatus.

As an inflating apparatus. embodiments of the inven tion are characterized by a tubular housing defining a flow passage the inlet end of which is open to and pro vides a particularly advantageous contoured flow path for ingestion of surrounding air. At its opposite or discharge end the housing may be coupled in a sleeve or other adapter forming an opening to a device to be inflated. when applied to such purpose. The housing embodies a rotor assembly followed by a stator unit and its discharge end is formed as a diffuser. such eiements being each constructed to lend economy and efficiency of the invention apparatus for its intended application. The stator blades are mounted in an improved manner so as to accommodate the effects of extremes in temperaturc without dangerous stress factors resulting. The rotor assembly is simply constructed so as to be rugged yet more economical to fabricate than would normally be anticipated and more highly efficient in operation. As a prime factor of the invention ernbodiment. the tubular housing incorporates turbine nozzles each of which have a particularly contoured inlet and outlet enabling full admission of air and reducing windage drag. This nozzle assembly. when the invention apparatus is applied for inflating purposes. is suitably coupled by tubing or flexible conduit to a bottle or tank of compressed air. The latter will be conventionally con trolled by valve means which may be manually opened or remotely operated. In any event. the nozzle assembly is here arranged to produce a smooth inflow of a relatively small amount of compressed air to drive the rotor assembly through the buckets peripherally ofthe rotor blades and to be passed thereby to and through the sta tor unit wh'c h directs the same to the device to be inflated. Simultaneously the driven rotor blades will influence a smoothly ingested flow of surrounding air to substantially amplify the available compressed air and together therewith afford a substantially instantaneous inflation of the coupled device. which may be in the illustrative instance an aircraft escape slide.

The whole operation as enabled with the application of the invention apparatus for inflation purposes is quiet. smooth. efficient and extremely rapid in function.

It is accordingly a primary object of the invention to provide improvements in tip turbine type fans enabling embodiments which are more efficient and satisfactory in use. more versatile and adaptable in application and unlikely to malfunction it is a further primary object of the invention to provide improved inflating apparatus having particular application for emergency usage and to function in a manner which is safe and simple in operation.

An additional object of the invention is to provide improved means for emergency inflation of deembarking apparatus in transportation vehicles. including large aircraft.

An additional object of the invention is to simplify and improve the construction of tip turbine type fan units in a manner to enable them to function more quietly and with higher efficiency.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved inflating apparatus and improvements in tip turbine type fan embodiments possessing the advantageous structural features. the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification. the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction. the parts and combinations thereof. and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings or their equivalents.

Referring to the drawings. wherein is illustrated one but not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention.

FIG. I is a cross section of an improved tip turbine type fan unit adapted for use as an inflating device:

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1'.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the improved turbine nozzle units featured in the invention apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a detail of the rotor blades. the tip end view being illustrated in FIG. 5; and

HO. 6 is a fragmentary detail illustrating the buckets incorporated in the turbine portion of the illustrated rotor assembly shown in FlG. 1:

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of H6.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of rel erence throughout the several views.

As shown. a tubular structure It] is composed of a series of end abutted ring like sections. including an inlet section [2. a nozzle section 14. having a housing I6 which defines therewith an annular chamber 18. and a stator section 20, the latter being axially extended by an integrated diffuser section 2] forming the discharge end of the structure [0.

The stator ring section has incorporated therein a stator blade assembly. The latter includes a centrally concentrically positioned hub 22 to which are fixed a plurality of radially projected. circumferentially spaced stator blades 24. Fixed centrally of and projected radially from the outer flatted ends of each blade 24 is a pin 26. The stator ring section 20 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 28. each aligning with and accommodating one of the pins 26. The arrangement is such to normally provide a clearance at the joint between the stator ring and the adjacent end of each blade. This enables a floating relation therebetvveen which accommodates the relative expansion and contraction of the related parts. This construction prevents damage from stresses induced one to the other. Such stresses normally occur from extremes in temperature to which these parts or associated parts are subjected in use. This pinned stator concept is particularly advantageous where the unit in which it is incorporated is required to be run for relatively long periods of time.

Positioned within the tubular structure [0. in immediately preceding relation to the stator blades. is a rotor assembly 30. The assembly mounts on a spindle 32 which has an expanded disc-like base 33.

The stator hub 22 has a central aperture 34 and a complementary recess 35 in its innermost face which accommodates and nests the spindle base. The arrangement is such to position the axis of the spindle 32 in a line commonly shared by the central longitudinal axis of the tubular structure 10.

Positioned about the spindle 32, in succession. in a direction towards its projected extremity. starting from a point at its base 33. are a spacing washer 36. a shim member 38. a ring shaped wave spring 40. a pre-load washer 42. and a ball bearing 44. The items 36. 38. and 42 afford an assembly providing a load and limit on the inner race portion of bearing 44. at one face thereof. Longitudinally spaced from the bearing 44 on the spindle 32 is an identical ball bearing 46. The shaft diameter of the spindle 32 is reduced in dimension between the bearings 44 and 46.

The bearings 44 and 46 serve to mount thereon the hub 48 of a bladed rotor. As seen in FIG. 1. these bearings nest their outer races in enlarged bore portions of the rotor hub to either end thereof. Accordingly. on applying a washer and a threadedly engaged nut 50 to the projected end of the spindle 32, beyond the bearing 46.

the inner races of bearings 44 and 46 are positively preloaded and contained on the spindle. As seen from the drawings. the enlarged ends ofthe bore ofthe rotor hub produce oppositely facing shoulders which serve as abutments for the adjacent faces of the outer races of the bearings 44 and 46.

The rotor hub 48 is shaped to a generally conical form at its outermost surface and gently curved in a longitudinal sense as shown in FIG. I. As a matter of fact. in the preferred embodiment shown. the outer surface of stator hub 22 is curved similarly to extend the longitudinal line of the rotor hub. The latter. however. has a cylindrical extension of reduced outer diameter to either end thereof.

A spinner 58 is positioned over the rotor hub cxten sion 56. to the end of the rotor which is remote from the spindle base. The spinner is a cap-like shell formed to nest the extension 56. to cap the rotor bore. accommodate the projected end of spindle 32, and to provide thereon a recessed shoulder 60. The inner peripheral edge of shoulder 60 is positioned to confine the outer face of the outer race of the ball bearing 46.

The outer surface of spinner 58 is conically formed and longitudinally curved to a blunt nose of arcuate form the line of which provides an extension of that of the rotor hub 48. As seen in FIG. 1. looking from the inlet to the discharge end of the illustrated tube structure It). the configuration of spinner 58. rotor hub 48, and stator hub 22 is to provide an aerodynamic shape to the blade mounting structure.

The rotor hub 48 is provided with dovetailed eircum ferentially spaced slots 62 on its outer periphery. which receive complementary shaped portions on the roots of rotor blades 64.

As the blades are applied. their root portions are abutted by the capping end surface of spinner 58 at one end and they are capped at their other ends and fixed against axial movement by a centrally apertured cap shaped retainer plate 66. The latter coextensivcly covers and abuts the adjacent end of the rotor hub 48 and its inner peripheral portion caps and confines the outer race of ball bearing 44. at the face thereof adjacent the stator unit. The assembly of the rotor unit to the spindle 32 is very simple to effect and requires no special skills. Bolts 68 are directed through aligned apertures in the blade retainer plate 66 and the rotor hub to have their projected extremities threadedly engaged in the spin ner S8. in this manner there is completed a most secure and integrated mounting of the rotor assembly here provided. The base of spindle 32 is suitably apertured to facilitate proper application of the bolts 68.

A ring-like turbine portion 70 extends circumferentially at the outer ends of the rotor blades 64. in this case also a pin-slot connection is provided between the ring and the central portion of the outer end of each blade 64. This connection avoids a rigid relation between these parts which obviates accidental buckling or distortion by reason of transmitted stress to which the parts might be subjected. As seen in FIG. 6 turbine buckets 72 are fixed in connection with and projected at the outer periphery of ring 70. in operation the entrances to the buckets 72 move in a plane parallel to. and immediately adjacent. and in alignment with turbine nozzles 74 defined by nozzle section 14 and the housing section 16.

The nozzles 74 provide discharge openings from the chamber 18. As shown in the drawings. these nozzles are basically provided by 16 convergetit-divergent grooves 76 of a particular configuration which are formed in a ringlikc peripheral projection on the one end of the nozzle ring section 14 which is immediately adjacent the rotor assembly. The grooves 76 are capped by an internal projection 78 on the housing 16 to complete the nozzle wall structure. The nozzles have contoured entrance and exit portions and 77 respectively. the contour being provided by the form of the side wall portions of groove 76. The entrance to each groove is substantially and laterally expanded and the leading side thereof commences in a short side wall portion 80 formed on a uniform curve of approximately 180 and a relatively small radius. The opposite side wall has an entrance portion 8] which in contrast is longitudinally extended at a relatively flat angle in the neighborhood of l5-l9 to the plane defined by the wall surface of the chamber 18 at the entrance to the nozzles. The side wall 81 continues in this flat angle to a point immediately preceding its discharge end where it is diverted inwardly towards the wall portion 80 in a smooth curved segment 82 which closely approaches the inner end of the approximately 180 arc of the side wall portion 80 to form therewith a nozzle throat 84 of reduced width, from which point the side wall portion 82 is extended in a rcversely directed gentle curve to produce a short flatly angled exit portion 86. By contrast the wall portion 80 is extended by an elongated wall segment which departs from the side wall portion 82, in a gentle curve progressively flattcd to produce an elongated exit side wall portion 88, providing the nozzle with an exit angle of approximately 13. Thus each nozzle has a form that one side wall at the entrance portion thereof has an extended length and is flatly angled to an opposite side wall entrance portion of arc form to define therewith a narrow throat in the nozzle which is near its inlet. Immediately beyond this throat the side walls uniformly diverge to produce a modified hour glass configuration. The wall 80, which is extended at its exit portion 88. is flatly angled to form a wide mouth discharge area and a discharge angle for the nozzle which is optimally in the range of l ll5.

The convergent-divergent nozzles 74 so provided are such that they have a short rounded nozzle inlet at their leading surface and an unusually flat discharge angle of a nature to result in smoother flow of air from chamber 18 to. through and from the nozzle in a relatively guiet manner and with significantly improved flow efficiency.

It is noted in the use of the described embodiment for inflating purposes. there is provided in connection with the housing 16 a tubular inlet adapter to which is coupled. by appropriate flexible conduit. the valved outlet of a small cylinder of compressed air. On opening of such valve. the chamber 18 receives a small amount of compressed air. which air exits by way of the turbine nozzles 74. As noted. there is a substantially expanded inlet area for each nozzle by reason of the shape of the entrance portions of its side walls. the short rounded entrance surface of the wall section 80 being significant in providing increase in flow effi ciency to and through the nozzle throat. At the exit ends of the nozzles the discharge angle has been low cred to substantially depart from conventional turbine practice, increasing and smoothing discharge and yielding. in delivery. a higher turbine efficiency as compared to conventional practice. and with a minimal number of nozzles. It is of course obvious that there is substan tial saving in manufacturing inherent in this high efficiency turbine apparatus whethcr used for inflating purposes or otherwise. suitably modified.

It is an important advantage that the air flow deriving from a small amount of compressed air. as handled by the improved nozzles. reduces turbine windage drag.

The inlet end of the tubular housing 10 has an internal flange 92. the outermost end surface of which is aerodynamically rounded. which is normally bridged at its flat inner side by a flapper type valve assembly 94. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, the latter includes a bar of rectangular cross-section which is extended diame trally across the inlet of the housing 10. The bar 95 is embedded in a diamctral projection 97 integrated with a disc-formed section of rubber-like sheet material. half segments 96 of which are formed to hinge inwardly of the housing 10. towards each other. Each half segment 96 mounts a metal plate coextensive with its inner face and means biasing it to closed position. As the half segments swing in. in an obvious manner. they are limited in travel by a rod 98 which is fixed in transversely bridging relation to the inlet section l2 of the housing 10, intermediate its ends.

Noting FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. the valve assembly 94 has a floating mount in the inlet of the housirlg 10. This is achieved by the provision of diametrally opposite recesses 100 formed in the inner wall of flange 92, which recesses receive, in slip fit relation thereto. the respective ends of the bar 95 which are projected relative the periphery of the half segments 96 of the valve assembly 94. The recesses 100 are elongated in a sense axially of the inlet section l2 so as to accommo date the insertion therein of the respective ends of the bar 95. Note that he cross-section of the ends of the bar 94 is generally complementary in configuration to the cross-section of the accommodating recesses 100 but of smaller dimension to enable an axial and slght rotative movement ofthe bar within the inlet llangc 92. The bar 95 has an aperture spaced inwardly of each of its respective ends. Once the bar is in place across the inlet. each of these apertures in the bar will have thrust therein a friction tit retaining pin l0] to project from opposite sides of the bar. Upon application of the pins 10], the removal of the valve assembly 94 will obviously be precluded until removal of the pins. Thus. by virtue of the mount of this valve assembly. one provides that once the housing It) has induced therein a back pressure. for example due to inflation of a connected article. this pressure will cause the half segments 96 of the valve assembly to be forced into a bridging sealing relation to the flat innerside ofthe flange 92. Peripheral portions of the half segments 96. as may be seen from the drawings. are extended to overlap the inner side of the flange and thereby form a seal of the inlet to the housing 10 as back pressure grows within the housing. The fact that the valve assembly 9-1 has a floating mount insures its self adjustment so that there will be a complete seal of the inlet so as to preclude any leakage from the article to which the tip turbine type fan or inflating unit is connected. As will be obvious. the device to be inflated will have an adapter defining an opening into which the sections 21 and 20 of the housing 10 may be thrust until the portions of the object to bc inflated rimming such opening are brought into contact with the flange [04. As will be obvious. any desired or required connecting elements may be applied to the object to be inflated through the flanges 102 and 104 and the invention unit thereby suitably secured in coupled relation to the object.

Of particular fabricating and assembly importance is the simple telescoping relation of parts of tubular housing structure 10. As seen. the inlet end of nozzle ring 14 is in effect expanded to produce a cup form nesting the abuttcd end of inlet section [2. fasteners being applicable through the cup wall to engage and fix the same to section 12. The housing 16 for the nozzle section is welded thereto and positioned to extend the cup wall. The projected end of housing 16 is externally flanged at 102 and slightly cupped to have a femalemale connection with the stator ring. the latter ofwhich is externally flanged at 104. The flanges 102 and 104 mate and securely abut to receive therethrough the connecting bolts 106.

Thus the time and effort for assembly of both housing and internal operating components is reduced to a minimum and can be readily achieved by people unverscd in the art.

Another significant point influencing the smooth and quiet operation of the unit in delivering a gaseous flow. for inflating purposes or otherwise. is the interior wall configuration of the inlet section 12 and the diffuser section 21.

As seen. in FIG. I, at the inlet to the section 12 the receiving wall surface 108 which defines the entrance to the flow path through the valve assembly 94 is first rounded aerodynamically. then straight. The interior wall surface of section 12 is then expanded to produce. in a longitudinal sense. a smoothly concave portion I I0 gradually reducing in cross section. This concave portion is followed by a curve in the wall surface which tends to produce a convex portion [12 reducing the cross section of the interior of section 12 to less than that defined at its inlet. Beyond the section 12 this cross-sectional area is maintained by the inner wall of nozzle section If) and turbine ring 70. At and beyond the ring 70 there is. as seen. an expansion of the interior cross-sectional area of housing [0. in its discharge area which accommodates the stator unit.

A further graduated expansion of the cross-sectional area of housing is defined by the inner wall surface of the diffuser section 2]. This last expansion commences immediately following the stator. at which point in operation of the unit there is produced a pressure which is reduced with respect to the ambient pres sure. This last results in a reduction in back pressure and has proven to introduce an unexpectedly significant factor in the operation of the invention unit. It re sults in an increase in its performance and pumping cf ficiency. making this unit extremely effective for a fast inflation of an inflatable object to which it is con ncctcd. Attention is further directed to the rotor assem bly wherein parts are reduced to a minimum. a spinner yoke such as would normally be used is here eliminated and a single set of bolts 68 does the whole job of fixing the spinner. rotor hub and blades together. utilizing the retainer plate 66. Again there is enabled a minimal cost in construction and ease in assembly and maintenance.

Further improvements lie in the design of both the rotor and the stator blades.

The floating stator blades as here proposed are to be formed with radii of 0.0[0 inch at their leading and trailing edges. This is in contrast to conventional practice which would dictate radii of 0.004 inch. While 0.010 inch is preferred the radius can range in the neighborhood of 0.008 to 0.0l2 inch. Also there is no use of backward curvature at the trailing edges of the stator blades. Thus in accordance with the invention practice it has been found the blade form requirements are not as rigid as would be anticipated and the elimination of complex design requirements in this respect enables more cheaply fabricated stator blades.

Similarly by reason of the inventive concept the radii at the leading and trailing edges 116 and 118 of the rotor blades has been enlarged preferably to 0.012 inches. while conventional design practice would die tate 0.005 inch radius. Again the radius can range. from 0.010 to 0.0[4 inch with similar advantageous results in use. This has improved rotor efficiency in partially stalled condition. particularly important when the fan is used in an inflating apparatus.

As noted previously the invention improvements in tip turbine type units producing a uniquely improved inflating apparatus are equally and variously advantageous where the basic improved tip turbine fan structure is applied to other and more conventional purposes. Where applied to other purposes one need only modify. for example. the passage or inlet to the uniquely designed chamber 18 wherein the nozzles are actually formed in one wall thereof. Such modifications will. of course. have no material effect on nor create a departure from the invention concept.

Where dimensions have been noted. they are in each case referenced to a 5% inch tip turbine unit. They will bc scaled up or down proportionally as the basic 5% inches dimension of the tip turbine unit is increased or decreased.

In function of the illustrated unit. the invention concept provides that. when used in connection with a large inflatable object. as shown. as compressed air is released from a bottle or tank and delivered to the annular chamber 18 embodied in the wall of housing 10. the air will issue. under its own pressure. by way of nozzles 74 to the interior of housing 10. in the expanded area thereof containing the turbine buckets 72. As the compressed air moves through the nozzles 74. its entrance is smooth and expedited by the leading surface portion of the nozzle wall configuration and the discharge is made intense and positive by the relatively flat angle induced by the nozzle form. As the com pressed air issues to the housing 10. it will impinge on and drive the buckets 72 and thereby the rotor unit 30. The compressed air will continue its movement through the expanded discharge end of housing 10. influenced by the nature and form of the stator blades 24. The drive of the rotor 30 will influence an ingestion of surrounding air. the same being smoothly introduced to the housing It] by reason of the form of the entrance surface [08. lnsuction will draw the valve segments 96 inwardly of the housing 10 to accommodate the inflow of the ingested air. The ingested air is immediately expanded within the entrance portion of the housing and then accelerated in flow to move smoothly to and through the rotor blades 64. and. under the influence thereof. be driven thereby past the stator blades 24 to be entrained with the expanding compressed air which is the source of its movement to and through the hous ing 10. In the area of the diffuser section the reduced pressure influence of the construction will influence an increased air flow over and above what would normally anticipated for the size of the rotor unit here employed.

as previously described. The operation is highly effective and enables utilization of a minimalamount of compressed air to achieve a substantially instantaneous inflation of the inflatable article to which the invention apparatus is coupled. Note that the aerodynamic form of the rotor hub. the cap 58 and the related stator hub 22 insures an extremely rapid discharge of ingested air in a smooth flowing quiet movement. The floating relation of the stator blades in respect to the ring 20 prevents the extremely cold temperatures which can 'develop at the outlet from the housing in certain instances from inducing distortion or buckling or the parts. Moreover, when the invention apparatus is suitably coupled to an article to be inflated and its inflation is achieved. there is produced in the housing 10 a back pressure which effectively seals the valve assembly 94 across the inlet to the housing 10 as previously de scribed.

Thus. the invention has very simply provided an answer to serious problems in the related art while affording a unit having considerable versatility in application.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable. but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form. proportions. dctail construction and arrangement of parts without dcparting from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown. but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A tip turbine type unit having particular advantage for inflation purposes including a tubular housing comprised of connected ring-like segments one of which enbodies therein a double walled portion forming a chamber for gaseous fluid in at least one wall portion of which are embodied passages forming turbine nozzles within said tubular housing. a rotor unit bridging said tubular housing to provide outer bladed portions thereof in the path of discharge from said nozzles. means bridging said tubular housing providing a base for mounting said rotor unit within said housing. a spindle unit. said base and said spindle unit having a malefemale connection to mount said spindle unit. said spindle unit mounting bearing means having mounted thereabout a hub portion of said rotor unit. said hub portion having peripherally projected blade means and means mounting to either end of said rotor hub portion and interconnected therewith to contain said bearing means and said spindle and mount said rotor unit to said base.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said means to contain the said hub portion of said rotor unit including a cap for said spindle and bearing means. to one end thereof. and a retainer forming a cap for said bearing means to the other end thereof. and bolt means extended through one of said caps and said hub portion to the other said caps for a simple releasable assembly of said rotor unit to its base.

3. A tip turbine type unit having particular advantage for inflation purposes including a tubular housing comprised of connected ring-like segments one of which embodies therein a double walled portion forming a chamber for gaseous fluid in at least one wall portion of which are embodied passages forming turbine nozzles within said tubular housing. a rotor unit bridging said tubular housing to provide outer bladed portions thereof in the path of discharge from said nozzles. a stator unit bridging said tubular housing in a following relation to said rotor unit and providing a base for mounting said rotor unit within said housing. said stator unit positioning at one end of said housing constituting its discharge end and including blade means having a floating connection with the said one end of said housing. a portion of said one end of said housing forming a periphery of said stator unit. a spindle one end of which has a cupped mount to said base, bearing means provided in end spaced relation on said spindle. a hub portion of said rotor unit mounting on said bearing means. the latter being cupped in enlarged portions of a bore in the rotor hub portion to either end thereof. and cap means to either end of and relcasably secured to said hub portion to mount the same on said spindle. and means containing said bearing means to said spindle.

4. inflating apparatus comprising a housing having a through passage. one end of which defines an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing. a wall portion of said housing. intermediate its ends. incorporat' ing a chamber and providing means for coupling thereto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure. a rotor in said housing. said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following relation to the portion of said housing including said chamber. wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles. said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are relatively expanded and oriented to produce a pressured flow ofgascous fluid from said cham her and against adjacent portions of said rotor. whereby to drive said rotor and to cause said rotor. in turn. to ingest air and cause the flow thereof to and through said first mentioned passage to mingle with the gaseous fluid driving said rotor and move therewith. on dis: harge thereof to the interior of a coupled inflatable object. to produce a substantially instantaneous inflation thereof. said first mentioned passage being expanded in cross sectional area at a location immediately following said inlet and thereafter being smoothly reduced in cross sectional area immediately upstream of said rotor.

5. inflating apparatus including a housing forming a through passage one end of which is an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing. a wall portion of said housing. intermediate its ends. incorporating a chamber and providing means for coupling thereto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure. a rotor in said housing. said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following rclation to the portion of said housing including said chamber. wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles. said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are positioned immediately adja cent outer peripheral portions of said rotor which include blade-like configurations. and said housing through passage having an interior wall surface which lends a configuration to said through passage wherein iv. Peruv an ili iiv \L the cross sectional area thereof is expanded immediately following and adjacent to said inlet and thereafter uniformly reduced to a location immediately in ad vance of said rotor and then expanded about and beyond said rotor.

6. lnflating apparatus as in claim 5 characterized by said housing having a tubular form and being comprised of telescopically nested ring segments including an inlet segment. a nozzle segment and a stator seg ment, said nozzle segment including a double walled structure formed by concentrically positioned portions of ring segments creating said chamber in an annular configuration. mating portions of said ring segments defining one end wall of said annular chamber which includes said nozzles.

7. lnflating apparatus as in claim 5 wherein a shoulder is provided in said pa sage by the expansion thereof immediately following said inlet. which shoulder is in facing relation to the downstream portion of said passage. said shoulder having in abutted relation thereto a valve unit adapted to bridge said shoulder. at least a portion of said valve unit being displaceable from said shoulder to accommodate a flow of gaseous fluid thereby to the downstream portion of said passage under the influence of said rotor. and said valve unit having means providing therefor a floating mount in said passage to provide that said valve unit may shift in an axial sense to insure a seal of said passage by said unit in the event back pressure should develop in the downstream portion of said passage.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 characterized by the wall of said passage at said inlet having therein recesses which are elongated in a direction downstream of said passage and there being projecting means mounting said valve unit which are freely received in said recesses to provide that said unit may float in said passage to the extent permitted by said recesses and there being means precluding the displacement of said projecting means from said recesses.

9. lnflating apparatus comprising a housing having a through passage. one end of which defines an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing. a wall portion of said housing. intermediate its ends, incorporating a chamber and providing means for coupling thereto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure. a rotor in said housing. said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following relation to the portion of said housing including said chamber. wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles. said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are relatively expanded and oriented to produce a pressured flow of gaseous fluid from said chamber and against adjacent portions of said rotor said nozzle through pas sages including opposite side wall portions the major extent of the length at which are flatly angled to approximately the same degree and in the same sense while the entrance portion of one of which and an exit portion of the other of which are formed on a curve for a rapid and smooth entrance to said nozzle passages of gaseous fluid exiting from said chamber and a smooth pressured exit of fluid from said nozzle passages to drive said rotor and cause said rotor. in turn, to ingest air into said housing to mingle with the fluid delivered by way of said nozzles and to discharge therewith from said housing through passage by way of said outlet for introduction into a coupled inflatable object.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said entrance portion of said one side wall portion of said nozzle through passages has an arcuate configuration including an arcuate portion of approximately 180.

ll. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said are of ap proximately 180 is continued in generally the same sense in a gently flatted curve to merge into the long flatly angled portion of said one side wall portion.

l2. Apparatus as in claim 1! wherein adjacent and spaced from its discharge end the flatly angled portion of the other side wall portion of a nozzle through passage is extended in an arcuate configuration which to gether with the areuate formation on the opposite side wall portion forms a narrow throat in said passage beyond which throat the opposite side wall portions of the nozzle passage diverge.

PATENT NO.

DATED |NVENTOR(S) September 9,

Joseph Flatt, Robert C. LoPiccolo, Eugene Linsker It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1,

Col.

Col.

Claim 9,

[SEAL] line line

line

line

line

line

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A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer guiet" is corrected to read quiet a comma is substituted for a period following "diffuser".

"9 4" is corrected to read 95 "slght" is corrected to read slight line 14, of

"at" is corrected to read Signed and Scaled this seventeenth D ray of February 1 976 C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner uj'Parents and Trademarks 

1. A tip turbine type unit having particular advantage for inflation purposes including a tubular housing comprised of connected ring-like segments one of which enbodies therein a double walled portion forming a chamber for gaseous fluid in at least one wall portion of which are embodied passages forming turbine nozzles within said tubular housing, a rotor unit bridgIng said tubular housing to provide outer bladed portions thereof in the path of discharge from said nozzles, means bridging said tubular housing providing a base for mounting said rotor unit within said housing, a spindle unit, said base and said spindle unit having a male-female connection to mount said spindle unit, said spindle unit mounting bearing means having mounted thereabout a hub portion of said rotor unit, said hub portion having peripherally projected blade means and means mounting to either end of said rotor hub portion and interconnected therewith to contain said bearing means and said spindle and mount said rotor unit to said base.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said means to contain the said hub portion of said rotor unit including a cap for said spindle and bearing means, to one end thereof, and a retainer forming a cap for said bearing means to the other end thereof, and bolt means extended through one of said caps and said hub portion to the other said caps for a simple releasable assembly of said rotor unit to its base.
 3. A tip turbine type unit having particular advantage for inflation purposes including a tubular housing comprised of connected ring-like segments one of which embodies therein a double walled portion forming a chamber for gaseous fluid in at least one wall portion of which are embodied passages forming turbine nozzles within said tubular housing, a rotor unit bridging said tubular housing to provide outer bladed portions thereof in the path of discharge from said nozzles, a stator unit bridging said tubular housing in a following relation to said rotor unit and providing a base for mounting said rotor unit within said housing, said stator unit positioning at one end of said housing constituting its discharge end and including blade means having a floating connection with the said one end of said housing, a portion of said one end of said housing forming a periphery of said stator unit, a spindle one end of which has a cupped mount to said base, bearing means provided in end spaced relation on said spindle, a hub portion of said rotor unit mounting on said bearing means, the latter being cupped in enlarged portions of a bore in the rotor hub portion to either end thereof, and cap means to either end of and releasably secured to said hub portion to mount the same on said spindle, and means containing said bearing means to said spindle.
 4. Inflating apparatus comprising a housing having a through passage, one end of which defines an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing, a wall portion of said housing, intermediate its ends, incorporating a chamber and providing means for coupling thereto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure, a rotor in said housing, said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following relation to the portion of said housing including said chamber, wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles, said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are relatively expanded and oriented to produce a pressured flow of gaseous fluid from said chamber and against adjacent portions of said rotor, whereby to drive said rotor and to cause said rotor, in turn, to ingest air and cause the flow thereof to and through said first mentioned passage to mingle with the gaseous fluid driving said rotor and move therewith, on discharge thereof to the interior of a coupled inflatable object, to produce a substantially instantaneous inflation thereof, said first mentioned passage being expanded in cross sectional area at a location immediately following said inlet and thereafter being smoothly reduced in cross sectional area immediately upstream of said rotor.
 5. Inflating apparatus including a housing forming a through passage one end of which is an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing, a wall portion of said housing, intermediate its ends, incorporating a chamber and providing means for coupling therEto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure, a rotor in said housing, said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following relation to the portion of said housing including said chamber, wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles, said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are positioned immediately adjacent outer peripheral portions of said rotor which include blade-like configurations, and said housing through passage having an interior wall surface which lends a configuration to said through passage wherein the cross sectional area thereof is expanded immediately following and adjacent to said inlet and thereafter uniformly reduced to a location immediately in advance of said rotor and then expanded about and beyond said rotor.
 6. Inflating apparatus as in claim 5 characterized by said housing having a tubular form and being comprised of telescopically nested ring segments including an inlet segment, a nozzle segment and a stator segment, said nozzle segment including a double walled structure formed by concentrically positioned portions of ring segments creating said chamber in an annular configuration, mating portions of said ring segments defining one end wall of said annular chamber which includes said nozzles.
 7. Inflating apparatus as in claim 5 wherein a shoulder is provided in said passage by the expansion thereof immediately following said inlet, which shoulder is in facing relation to the downstream portion of said passage, said shoulder having in abutted relation thereto a valve unit adapted to bridge said shoulder, at least a portion of said valve unit being displaceable from said shoulder to accommodate a flow of gaseous fluid thereby to the downstream portion of said passage under the influence of said rotor, and said valve unit having means providing therefor a floating mount in said passage to provide that said valve unit may shift in an axial sense to insure a seal of said passage by said unit in the event back pressure should develop in the downstream portion of said passage.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 characterized by the wall of said passage at said inlet having therein recesses which are elongated in a direction downstream of said passage and there being projecting means mounting said valve unit which are freely received in said recesses to provide that said unit may float in said passage to the extent permitted by said recesses and there being means precluding the displacement of said projecting means from said recesses.
 9. Inflating apparatus comprising a housing having a through passage, one end of which defines an inlet to and the other an outlet from said housing, a wall portion of said housing, intermediate its ends, incorporating a chamber and providing means for coupling thereto a source of gaseous fluid under pressure, a rotor in said housing, said rotor being mounted to bridge said passage in following relation to the portion of said housing including said chamber, wall portions of said chamber embodying further passages forming turbine nozzles, said nozzles being formed to provide through passages the discharge ends of which are relatively expanded and oriented to produce a pressured flow of gaseous fluid from said chamber and against adjacent portions of said rotor, said nozzle through passages including opposite side wall portions the major extent of the length at which are flatly angled to approximately the same degree and in the same sense while the entrance portion of one of which and an exit portion of the other of which are formed on a curve for a rapid and smooth entrance to said nozzle passages of gaseous fluid exiting from said chamber and a smooth pressured exit of fluid from said nozzle passages to drive said rotor and cause said rotor, in turn, to ingest air into said housing to mingle with the fluid delivered by way of said nozzles and to discharge therewith from said housing through passage by way of said outlet For introduction into a coupled inflatable object.
 10. Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said entrance portion of said one side wall portion of said nozzle through passages has an arcuate configuration including an arcuate portion of approximately 180*.
 11. Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said arc of approximately 180* is continued in generally the same sense in a gently flatted curve to merge into the long flatly angled portion of said one side wall portion.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein adjacent and spaced from its discharge end the flatly angled portion of the other side wall portion of a nozzle through passage is extended in an arcuate configuration which together with the arcuate formation on the opposite side wall portion forms a narrow throat in said passage, beyond which throat the opposite side wall portions of the nozzle passage diverge. 